The Legacy of Buddy the Christmas Husky: From Abandoned & Abused to Rescued & Forever Loved
#Flashback Photo ~ August 2016 ~ Buddy, the Christmas Husky
Photo of Buddy taken by Lisa Byrd; Courtesy of "Mama Shay" Baillargeon
There are those special times and people in life you always remember. This #FlashbackFriday memory was one of those special times for me as a dog lover, husky hu-mom of five, and as an author. It's about an extra special dog...a Siberian Husky who we all came to know as "Buddy, the Christmas Husky."
Buddy was named "The Christmas Husky" because it was on Christmas Day 2011 the life of this sick, starving, injured, and abandoned almost unrecognizable Husky. He wore his pain and illness on his frail, mange-filled body, but was still passed by many cars as he tried to make his way through the snow. It took a Good Samaritan named Geneva to walk out and save him from a deadly fate. She welcomed him into her warm home on Christmas Day, and the rest truly reads like a Christmas miracle story for this Husky who through the kindness of a stranger (Geneva) was now able to get a second lease on life...and oh, what a life he had!
Photos
of Buddy shortly after he was rescued right off a snowy street on Christmas Day
2011...but finally with his new foster moom "Mama Shay" on his road to recovery, love and learning how to
trust humans again.
#Flashback ~ Buddy ~ December 2011
The Positive Powers of a Caring Social Media Community
From that moment on, the life of this poor Husky changed...Geneva reached out across social media seeking help...and "Team Buddy" formed -- a group of caring folks across globe who joined together to support and love Buddy along his journey. And through the positive powers of social media, a special woman from Georgia named Shari a/k/a "Mama Shay" drove across states to foster and care for him in her home, and she soon became his loving forever foster hu-mom. And over time and through Mama Shay's love and constant veterinarian care, the transformation was a miracle -- this poor, sickly, injured dog rallied back. He not only became a very handsome boy, but his sweet disposition shone through despite what he went through. Buddy went on to became a social media sensation showing how someone's love--or a group of people's love--can truly changed a dog's life. And that will always be his legacy.
What Love Can Do: Buddy's Incredible Transformation...
2012. In one year...
Buddy became a healed, loved, happy, and beautiful boy
I'm so proud to know Mama Shay and Buddy and that I had the opportunity to tell. his story in a book I wrote about him (that went on to become a Best in Print from AmericanPet Magazine). A portion of profits from sales of the book were donated to his care, and any sales now (there are a few left) will go to the care of other Huskies in need fostered by Mama Shay, a volunteer with MUSH Rescue of Atlanta (Georgia).
My book on Buddy
I also had the privilege of writing several magazine articles on his journey.
The "Traveling Huskies' Go On The Road!
In August of 2016, Buddy and Mama Shay, along with Buddy's pal, a beautiful Siberian Husky named "Nala," and her new hu-mom, Susan made the trek from Georgia, stopping along the East Coast to meet with members of Team Buddy, until they reached the Hudson Valley, where they met up with me for a book signing and meet-and-greet event at The Parish in the scenic New Paltz, NY (with a view of the gorgeous 'Gunks - the Shawangunk Mountains).
The fun graphic from that event!
Grand Entrance! Buddy has arrived!
Many friends, including folks from Husky House Siberian Husky & Fellow K9 Rescue in New Jersey, and Holly and her Huskies from Lima, New York, all traveled a great distance to come out to meet us and spend a very, very, record-breaking hot August day (it hit a sweltering 101℉ degrees!), but no one let the heat stop us from a beautiful day.
Meeting Buddy!
The
highlight though, was meeting Buddy in person especially knowing all that he went through and wondering how anyone could hurt, starve, and abandon any animal like the did with Buddy. And yet, through the love of Mama Shay, he learned to trust and be loved, and just meeting this sweet boy knowing how close to the Rainbow Bridge he had been before Geneva saved him from that snowy street on Christmas Day...and yet here he was fearlessly traveling from Georgia to New York, stopping off to meet friends, and allowing everyone to hug him, including me ( ! ), and returning the greetings with sweet Husky kisses.
Be still my heart. ❤️
I loved being able to meet and spend time with sweet Buddy!
Who could have hurt and abandoned this beautiful, sweet boy?!
As I mentioned earlier, it was an unusually sweltering hot day (especially for Huskies), but Matthew Sweeney,
the wonderful owner of The Parish, where we held the event, not only had bowls of cold water out on the deck, but he then opened his
doors to allow all of the Huskies--Buddy, Nala, and Husky pals Chip and Bree who traveled with their Mom to join us, all inside The Parish restaurant to relax in the air condition!
It's rough being famous! BOL!
Here's a fun must-see recap of the event:
The Adventures of Buddy & Nala
(My "cartoon" recap!)
The Legacy of Buddy of Carries On...
“Just
remember me when you see the next ‘mangy mutt’ on the side of the road.
Instead of blowing your horn or shooing me away, pick me up and offer
your kindness and help! The world can be a better place with one act of
kindness, which leads to others.” ~Buddy, the Christmas Husky (as voiced by his Mama Shay).
While dear Buddy earned his furangel wings in 2017, he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will forever stand as a symbol of rescue and hope for a loving forever home for homeless dogs.
Please visit a shelter or rescue and give the gift of love to a homeless dog in Buddy's name!
"You can't change a dog's past, but you can rewrite their future."~Agnes Carass
Oh, the difference love can make!
Thank you, Mama Shay, for all you do to
help Huskies in need, like dear Buddy.
You can follow Mama Shay and all the Huskies she's helped on Buddy, the Christmas Husky Facebook page.
Let's rewrite some more Huskies' futures
by...
Rescuing 💚 Fostering 💚 Adopting
If you're not sure of where a Husky rescue is near you...you can visit HERE.
Below is a pic of one of the donations from the sales of my Buddy book to Buddy's Buddies to help Mama Shay and her foster Huskies in need through MUSH Rescue. In Buddy's name, Mama Shay is still opening her heart and home to homeless and sick Huskies (even having 19 at one time!) I'd love to send more! There are a few copies of the book left! If you'd like to order one, visit our online FiveSibes ArcticHouse Books tab HERE.
NOTE: Our ArcticHouse Publishing has been closed, and the website as well. The ONLY place you can order a new, authentic copy of Buddy's book is through my link above.
Fun Time!
I thought it would be fun to share some pics of other Huskies, including my own, with Buddy's book!
Check out beauties Mishka, Icy, Chloe, and Wolfie
all enjoying Buddy's book!
Have a pic of your dog with Buddy's book? We'd love to see it!
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